Letters To The Editor

October 29, 2004

One roof offers benefits for congregations

The Oct. 24 article concerning the four churches using the same facilities brought back many memories ("Unique under one roof"). My wife and I spent many years attending churches at various military bases around the world where a number of denominations utilized the same building. This was in the 1950s and 1960s, and I believe it continues today. This was also true for some of the military academies in this country.

The ministers, rabbis and priests had separate offices adjoining the church, and there were several conference rooms to support the activities during the week. Some of the churches had a revolving altar so that the appropriate setting was presented to each service, and some had a basic setup with accessories carried in before each service.

We have often wondered why the various denominations could not see their way clear to combine their efforts into this type arrangement and thereby utilize more of their resources to provide help where it was needed. It is a waste of resources to have structures sit empty for six days a week and to heat or cool the building for one service on a Saturday or Sunday.

Our congratulations to those involved in LivingStone, and we can only hope that more churches will see the benefit of this shared arrangement.

James Mason

Gloucester *

Vote for Ashe

In the race for Congress, Thelma Drake stated that she has been promised a House committee seat. Drake did not state who promised her the seat. Did anyone make such a promise?

On the other hand, Drake did not point out that she supported former Gov. Jim Gilmore's tax cuts. These tax cuts contributed to the commonwealth's worst financial crisis in history. Also, Drake stated that she would support George Bush's tax cuts. Does Drake represent the rich?

When Drake speaks about terrorists, would voters want her representing them fighting terrorists or a seasoned veteran who has the background of fighting on the front lines in the Middle East?

Being a veteran and a middle-class voter, I am asking all veterans and middle-class voters to support David Ashe for Congress. Ashe fought for his country. In Congress, he will fight for you.

A.W. Anderson

Suffolk

3rd District choices

Kudos to Patricia Lassiter for her letter regarding Bobby Scott's practice of voting his conscience and not the will of the people. She neglected to add that Scott does not support an amendment to prevent our flag from abuse and destruction and does not support keeping the phrase "One nation under God" in our Pledge of Allegiance.

Regardless of party affiliation, vote for Winsome Sears, not Scott.

John L. Voss

Hampton

Flu shot priorities

Years ago we had more than six companies making the flu vaccine in this country. Today, there is a shortage of that vaccine and only the most fragile are to get this immunization.

Wyeth Pharmaceutical in Pennsylvania once made the vaccine but now does not because, like other companies, it lost money on it. Why can't our government ensure the pharmaceutical companies will not lose money while trying to protect our citizens from this annual epidemic? It is such a small sum in relation to what our government spends to study fish. Where are the priorities?

The health-care costs it will spend trying to save lives will be more than 10 times the cost to ensure each citizen can get the vaccine. Not counting all those thousands who will die from the flu because they could not get the vaccine. Does that make sense? There are some responsibilities the government should take on for the good of the nation.

Donald Widlacki

Newport News

Isn't it ironic

I find it rather ironic that the FDA says seniors and others cannot fill their prescriptions in Canada at much lower cost because the FDA is unable to ensure the safety of the drug, then the federal government tells us that it is trying to import flu vaccine from Canada.

Is this not the usual double talk? Besides, aren't most of the drugs sold in the United States made in another country and imported, as well as the flu vaccine?

John Bell

Newport News

Re-evaluate benefit

Recently, my mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness and given only a few months at best to live. On the advice of professionals, we made an application with Social Security for disability benefits. Upon application, we were informed that benefits would not be payable for five months. Where is the benefit to a woman who has worked hard all her life, has had her world come crashing down with this diagnosis and contributed to Social Security all of her working life?

This is truly the federal government hard at work. Where is the support when it is needed most? I think it's time the government re-evaluated this so-called benefit so that it benefits all who contribute.